Resident Support Specialist (Part-Time, 3rd Shift | 11:00pm - 3:00am)

United Way of East Central Iowa; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 20,664,000 - 27,552,000; Full time

Job summary

United Way of East Central Iowa through The Commons on 16th in Cedar Rapids seeks an Overnight Resident Support Specialist to provide compassionate overnight presence, wellness checks, and resident engagement.

The role emphasizes monitoring building security, responding to resident needs, and documenting overnight activity, while maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to program expectations. High school diploma required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Preferred: one year of experience in human services, housing, shelters, behavioral health, social services, or related field.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Basic computer and documentation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Provide supportive and professional resident engagement while maintaining appropriate boundaries during overnight hours.
• Respond to resident concerns, immediate needs, and non-emergency situations in a timely and professional manner.
• Promote adherence to quiet hours and overnight program expectations.
• Conduct periodic wellness and safety checks in accordance with program procedures.
• Monitor building access and maintain awareness of resident and visitor activity throughout the shift.
• Conduct routine walkthroughs of the facility and identify safety, maintenance, or operational concerns.
• Monitor entry points and ensure exterior doors, common spaces, and restricted areas remain secure.
• Respond to after-hours incidents and coordinate emergency response procedures when necessary.
• Maintain awareness of building occupancy and communicate significant concerns to leadership and on-call staff.
• Complete detailed shift notes and document incidents, resident concerns, building activity, and overnight events.
• Complete required data entry and maintain accurate program records.
• Communicate unresolved concerns and operational updates to incoming staff to ensure continuity between shifts.
• Prepare overnight summary reports and notify leadership of significant incidents requiring follow-up.
• Assist with maintaining clean and organized office and common spaces.
• Support basic facility readiness tasks to prepare the building for morning operations.
• Ensure documentation, supplies, and operational tasks are completed prior to shift transition.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and quality improvement activities.
• Support special projects and operational needs of the Commons on 16th.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal

Calm under pressure

Experience with homelessness/trauma/di

Independent with team collaboration

Organizational and problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Basic computer skills

Documentation skills

Job description

Be a daily source of support, stability, and connection for residents. Join our team at The Commons on 16th and help create a safe, supportive environment for residents during overnight hours. The Resident Support Specialist serves as the primary overnight staff presence, conducting wellness checks, monitoring building security, responding to resident needs, and documenting overnight activities. This role is ideal for someone who is compassionate, dependable, and able to remain calm in dynamic situations. Experience in human services, housing, behavioral health, or related fields is preferred.

Essential Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in dynamic environments.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, mental health concerns, or substance use.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

Essential Job Functions

Overnight Resident Support & Monitoring

• Provide supportive and professional resident engagement while maintaining appropriate boundaries during overnight hours.
• Respond to resident concerns, immediate needs, and non-emergency situations in a timely and professional manner.
• Promote adherence to quiet hours and overnight program expectations.
• Conduct periodic wellness and safety checks in accordance with program procedures.

Overnight Building Security & Operations

• Monitor building access and maintain awareness of resident and visitor activity throughout the shift.
• Conduct routine walkthroughs of the facility and identify safety, maintenance, or operational concerns.
• Monitor entry points and ensure exterior doors, common spaces, and restricted areas remain secure.
• Respond to after-hours incidents and coordinate emergency response procedures when necessary.
• Maintain awareness of building occupancy and communicate significant concerns to leadership and on-call staff.

Documentation & Incident Management

• Complete detailed shift notes and document incidents, resident concerns, building activity, and overnight events.
• Complete required data entry and maintain accurate program records.
• Communicate unresolved concerns and operational updates to incoming staff to ensure continuity between shifts.
• Prepare overnight summary reports and notify leadership of significant incidents requiring follow-up.

Facility Readiness & Transition to Day Shift

• Assist with maintaining clean and organized office and common spaces.
• Support basic facility readiness tasks to prepare the building for morning operations.
• Ensure documentation, supplies, and operational tasks are completed prior to shift transition.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and quality improvement activities.

Other Duties

• Support special projects and operational needs of the Commons on 16th.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Preferred: One (1) year of experience working in human services, housing, shelters, behavioral health, social services, or related field.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Basic computer and documentation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.